Inverell steps up to host postponed Coffs Harbour meeting

25 May

At short notice and with great success, Inverell Jockey Club fulfilled a request by Racing NSW to host the Coffs Harbour meeting on Friday.

With rain hammering the state’s Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers, the last thing NSW racing participants needed was another postponed program.

Instead, the Inverell Jockey Club stepped up and hosted an eight-race program, and on the day, eight different stables, including locals, tasted success.

Ridge Wilson scored a win in the 1400m Benchmark 58 Handicap as Meddlesome (Ben Looker, $3.30) won in a thrilling finish.

Wayne Oakenfull also landed a victory as Afloat (Ben Looker, $3.60) made every post a winner in the 1520m Class One/Maiden Plate.

Inverell Jockey Club President Mike Witherdin was pleased to see his club host the Coffs Harbour meeting, and more importantly, punters get behind the entertaining program.

“It all went pretty well,” Witherdin told Country Punter.

“You never know what the holes are, but from what we can gauge on the win pool figures (with the TAB), we are happy with the turnover given the late notice of the transfer.

“The coastal fellas still came and raced, and the Gold Coast trainers didn’t come, but the fields were supplemented by a few Hunter trainers.

“Plus, the local fellas had a win, with Wayne and Ridge also getting picnic wins at Moree on Saturday with Brodie Fednton.”

With Casino currently rated a heavy ten ahead of Friday’s Beef Week Cup program, and more rain forecast in the region, Witherdin said Inverell, if needed, would be ready and raring to help out, so long as they didn’t receive too much rain tomorrow and Wednesday.

“We would rather see them race at Casino, but we’ll be ready to race when asked, with the caveat being who knows what rain we’ll get either side of Wednesday,” Witherdin.

Other winners on the Inverell program included:

Tradelink Inverell Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1400 Metres)

Horse: Soofree

Trainer: Brett Dodson

Jockey: Luke Rolls

Stewart’s Grains Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1520 Metres)

Horse: Afloat ($3.60)

Trainer: Wayne Oakenfull

Jockey: Ben Looker

McDonald's Inverell Maiden Plate (1200 Metres)

Horse: The Dux Nuts ($4.40)

Trainer: David Hatch

Jockey: Grady Spokes

Tatt’s Hotel Benchmark 82 Handicap (1520 Metres)

Horse: New Pharaoh ($3)

Trainer: Brett & Georgie Cavanough

Jockey: Kody Nestor

Bluprint Inverell Benchmark 66 Handicap (1800 Metres)

Horse: Samurai Warrior ($3.40)

Trainer: Corey & Kylie Geran

Jockey: Kody Nestor

Nutrien Ag Benchmark 58 Handicap (1050 Metres)

Horse: Boom Break ($13)

Trainer: Donna Grisedale

Jockey: Poppie Gorton

TLE Electrical Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap (1400 Metres)

Horse: Meddlesome ($3.30)

Trainer: Ridge Wilson

Jockey: Ben Looker

Inverell Ford Benchmark 82 Handicap (1200 Metres)

Horse: Dis Is Heaven ($4.60)

Trainer: Colt Prosser